Insights into the Aspirations of Future Fashion Designers: Four Student Stories

What aspirations do emerging fashion designers hold? A quartet of young graduates from the Bachelor of Fashion Design and Pattern Making program at Mod’Art International Paris reveals their uncertainties, dreams, and views on the fashion industry. With strong creative passions, a thirst for freedom, heightened ecological consciousness, and entrepreneurial goals, their candid insights illustrate the journey of a fresh generation seeking authenticity.

Future Plans After Fashion Design Studies

Gabin Le Roch: I’m excited to enroll in the Digital Fashion Design course at Mod’Art and anticipate a six-month internship as an image stylist at Monoprix. My role will involve preparing shoots, selecting models, briefing photographers on angles, setting the atmosphere, and crafting mood boards.

Jade Troles: Currently, I am on the lookout for a work-study position to complement my Master’s degree in Art Direction and Collection Management at Mod’Art. My interests range across pattern making, styling, and photography. I plan to experiment with various fields before honing in on a specific path. I’ve explored opportunities in booking, styling, and pattern-making agencies.

Léa Servo Dos Santos: I’m seeking a work-study position as well. Personally, I hope to grow my brand on social media to bolster my visibility. Initially, this wasn’t my main goal, but engaging in my final collection made me realize how much I enjoy it. My Instagram account garnered significant attention, and I aim to leverage that popularity, focusing less on selling and more on brand recognition.

Anthony Cancelmo: I’m progressing with my studies at Mod’Art in the Master’s program for Digital Fashion Design.

Career Aspirations Post-Graduation

Gabin: I aspire to work as a stylist for emerging designers. Smaller brands often allow for a more diverse experience, which excites me. Ultimately, I envision creating my own brand, as I have a distinct style I wish to develop.

Jade: Currently, I am focusing on small to medium enterprises for my work-study search. I believe they might provide more varied experiences. I’ve yet to explore large fashion houses, so my perceptions could be limited.

Léa: Ideally, I would like to join a luxury brand, perhaps Rick Owens. However, I’m open to different opportunities and will evaluate what they can bring to my portfolio.

Anthony: While I wouldn’t mind working for a company, I particularly favor freelance opportunities. This would allow me to explore diverse projects across various cultures, enhancing my creative journey. I also aim to delve into less conventional aspects of fashion, like cinema.

Long-Term Career Goals in Fashion

Anthony: Art direction fascinates me, particularly during the initial stages of collection development—conceptualizing trends and creating mood boards. While I acknowledge the importance of pattern making, I don’t envision my career solely in that domain.

Gabin: I’m uncertain about my future direction. I prefer to embrace spontaneity without overthinking, which might lead to disappointment. My ultimate dream is to style artists, like Shy’m, whose aesthetic resonates with me.

Jade: I gravitate toward styling and mood board creation but may also pursue pattern making for custom pieces.

Léa: My aspirations include exploring art direction or styling for artists—those roles intrigue me the most.

Concerns About Entering the Fashion Industry

Anthony: I am indeed apprehensive about securing a work-study placement. Many peers are also seeking internships for the upcoming year, and the competition is daunting.

Gabin: The industry can be tough to break into, requiring resilience and confidence in one’s vision. Although I have some concerns, I hold faith in my projects and embrace patience, as growth takes time.

Jade: My anxiety stems from the industry’s exclusivity. Networking plays a crucial role, and I find approaching people challenging, which may hinder my progress.

Léa: I’m confident in my unique blend of fashion and tattoo art, which has garnered interest and affirms my chosen path.

Needed Changes in the Fashion World

Anthony: Internships can be enlightening, but some employers lack courtesy and understanding toward interns.

Gabin: Our generation has a different work perspective, emphasizing a balance between work and personal life. It seems that our values don’t always align with older generations, but I believe changes are on the horizon.

Jade: I’ve faced multiple rejections for work-study placements, often due to experience preferences. This creates a paradox where gaining experience becomes challenging.

Expectations from Future Employers

Anthony: I seek a role where my voice is valued. Internships often felt diminished to mere tasks, rather than creative contributions. Respect and creative freedom are essential.

Gabin: Recognition of couture professions is crucial.

Jade: I believe it’s a mutual requirement for companies to offer trust and recognition, as it inspires greater investment in one’s work.

Léa: I desire stability and acknowledgment, particularly for the brand I wish to create.

Perspectives on Compensation

Anthony: I’m aware that freelancing brings variable income, and I ponder about the need for balance between salary and work hours. It’s vital to find harmony for fulfilling lives both financially and personally.

Gabin: In pattern making and couture, underappreciation is prevalent, even though these are integral to the fashion ecosystem.

Jade: At this stage, I lack defined expectations. My priority is to explore diverse sectors and determine my preferences as I progress.

Aspiring to Create Unique Brands

Anthony: Designing my final-year collection was liberating—creative constraints were absent. In the future, I envision launching my own brand, potentially blending in graphic elements, as I have a passion for typography.

Gabin: My creations advocate for the LGBT queer community. I feel it’s pivotal now more than ever to champion these rights and freedoms, showcasing this through my brand, which will embrace imaginative expression.

Léa: My brand is defined by concepts of tattooing, authenticity, and transparency.

The Evolving Definition of Success in Fashion

Anthony: Success has transformed notably as my generation enters the workforce; it is now more about personal fulfillment than traditional accolades.

Gabin: I equate success with making a positive impact on society through responsible practices and meaningful messages.

Jade: Success in branding occurs when the designer’s identity is unmistakably tied to the collection, ensuring recognition and a genuine customer base.

Léa: Recognition, especially on social media, equates to success. Building a name for oneself is fundamental.

This article was translated to English using an AI tool.

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